[ He doesn't know where he's going. He cannot remember the last time he didn't - no. No, that isn't strictly true. There were many times in Cloud Recesses that he set out without a clear direction, only intending to take the time of the walk to allow his mind to calm, to let himself be led wherever he might end up.
But this is no meditative walk through the trees, where the purpose was the lack of direction, and he can't allow himself to think of it now. If he does, he will only wonder about his uncle, his brother, his disciples, and he can't allow himself to become compromised. He can't give in to the feeling that he should be back there, protecting them. He must remind himself that what he is currently safeguarding is no less important.
At first he has no thought but moving swiftly and without detection, staying hidden and getting as far from what's left of his home as he can. He must find somewhere safe, to hide the treasures he carries and regroup. By the time that thought begins to crystallize, he realizes he is on his way to the Unclean Realm. Despite everything, the realization sparks the tiniest hint of a smile.
Of course. Where else would he go, what other ally could he trust aside from Nie Mingjue to -
No. The Wen clan has already attacked Qinghe once and will surely come back. He cannot risk bringing more trouble to his friend's door at this moment any more than he can risk going there expecting help and finding the very people he is hiding from.
He shifts course, and finds himself moving through a village whose name he doesn't yet know, when he spots a very familiar figure.
And he knows that he shouldn't draw attention to himself in any way, and yet - yet he moves closer. ]
no subject
But this is no meditative walk through the trees, where the purpose was the lack of direction, and he can't allow himself to think of it now. If he does, he will only wonder about his uncle, his brother, his disciples, and he can't allow himself to become compromised. He can't give in to the feeling that he should be back there, protecting them. He must remind himself that what he is currently safeguarding is no less important.
At first he has no thought but moving swiftly and without detection, staying hidden and getting as far from what's left of his home as he can. He must find somewhere safe, to hide the treasures he carries and regroup. By the time that thought begins to crystallize, he realizes he is on his way to the Unclean Realm. Despite everything, the realization sparks the tiniest hint of a smile.
Of course. Where else would he go, what other ally could he trust aside from Nie Mingjue to -
No. The Wen clan has already attacked Qinghe once and will surely come back. He cannot risk bringing more trouble to his friend's door at this moment any more than he can risk going there expecting help and finding the very people he is hiding from.
He shifts course, and finds himself moving through a village whose name he doesn't yet know, when he spots a very familiar figure.
And he knows that he shouldn't draw attention to himself in any way, and yet - yet he moves closer. ]
Meng Yao?